• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Practical Golf

Golf Tips Made Simple

  • Home
  • Deals
  • Content
    • Physical
    • Mental
    • Reviews
    • Videos
    • Practice Games
  • Practical Golf
  • Insider Access
    • Videos
    • Practice Games
    • eBooks
    • Interviews
    • Contributors
  • Forum
  • Contact
golf tips
Big news!
My new book, The Four Foundations of Golf, is now available on Amazon ➡

What Is the Difference Between a Chip Shot and a Pitch Shot?

What’s the difference between a chip shot and a pitch shot? Is it important?

I’m going to answer these in reverse. Yes, It is important. It’s important because once you hear this theory, the short game should become easier for you.

The difference between a chip and a pitch is that the pitch shot flies farther than it rolls, and the chip shot rolls farther than it flies. A chip can travel a longer distance than a pitch. Some places have a lot of slopes and the ground is quite hard. Little chips can roll a VERY long way.

The definition of a chip shot is, “A short game shot that rolls farther than it flies.” The definition of a pitch shot is, “A short game shot that flies farther than it rolls.”

You should ask, “What’s a short game shot?” The short game starts at half the average carry distance of your highest lofted club. I hit my 58-degree wedge 100 yards, so the short game for me is 50 yards and in. Easy enough.

Now we’ve defined chip, pitch, and short game. Now, for the sake of your understanding of technique, we’re going to stop saying, “chip,” and, “pitch,” once and for all, and we’re going to start saying, “short game shot,” instead.

If the person you’re speaking with needs more details, you can describe how the ball got to its destination. But for the sake of your understanding of technique, they’re the same swing, usually performed with different clubs, but your environment can also turn chips into pitches and pitches into chips. So what’s the point? They’re all finesse shots NOT hit with a putter.

The difference between a simple stock pitch and a simple stock chip is NOT related to technique. We don’t call the stroke used to hit a 50-foot putt something different than the stroke used to hit a 10-foot putt, and we don’t call a golf swing with a nine iron something different than the golf swing with a four iron.

I believe it will harm your game to think you need to hit longer flying short game shots with a different swing than your shorter flying short game shorts. I look forward to breaking down the technique of the short game shot for you in the future. Stay tuned.

About The Author

Ryan is the lead instructor and founder of ryanchaneygolf.com. He’s widely regarded in the golf instruction community as a full swing expert. You can book online lessons with him on his website, or check out his YouTube Channel for more swing tips.

Want to Get Exclusive Discounts on Some of the Top Golf Products?

Check out our deals for Practical Golf readers!

SEE THE DEALS

About the Author

Jon Sherman is the owner of Practical Golf, a website dedicated to being an honest resource for the everyday golfer who is looking to enjoy the game more, as well as improve. He is the author of the bestselling book 101 Mistakes All Golfers Make (and how to fix them). You can find him on Twitter here - @practicalgolf, where he is happy to chat about golf with anyone.

More Practical Golf Articles:

pga tour stats

How PGA Tour Stats Can Help Manage Your Unrealistic Golfing Expectations

Jones Utility Bag Review: Walk the Course in Style and Comfort

iron fitting guide

Iron Fitting Guide: Everything You Should Know Before Getting Fit

pre shout routine

Can a Pre-Shot Routine Lower Your Scores?

Primary Sidebar

Before Footer

  • Insider Access
  • Account
  • Logout
  • Login

Footer

About The Site

Practical Golf is an honest resource for the everyday golfer who is looking to enjoy the game more, and find ways to improve - Learn More
golf tips

The Book

101 Mistakes All Golfers Make is your complete guide to golf. It will be your reference guide for years to come!

Subscribe To The Newsletter

Join more than 30,000 golfers and receive email updates when new articles post. We'll also send you a free copy of our bestselling eBook on course strategy

Become a Fan On Facebook
Follow Us On Twitter

Copyright © 2023 Practical Golf | Powered by: WP Engine | Built on: The Genesis Framework
Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclosure | Site Design by 3200.PRO

/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View slug: author-box - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ .custom-author-box { background: #eee; width: 100%; padding: 20px; clear:both; float:left; overflow:hidden; margin-bottom:40px; } .custom-author-box .essb_links { display:none; } .custom-author-box .code-block, .author-information div { display: none!important; } .author-box { display: none!important; } /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View slug: author-box - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */
/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Single Post - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /*.logged-in .non-logged-in-ad-block { display:none; } .non-logged-in-ad-block { display:block; position: fixed; right: 0px; top: 250px; } @media only screen and (max-width: 1400px) { .non-logged-in-ad-block { display:none; } } .code-block-2:nth-of-type(even) { display:none !important; } */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* Content Template: Single Post - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */
Practical Golf
  • Home
  • Content
    • Physical
    • Mental
    • Reviews
    • Videos
    • Practice Games
    • Back
  • Deals
  • Forum
  • Insider Access
    • Videos
    • eBooks
    • Interviews
    • Practice Games
    • Back
  • Insider Login
  • Contact